PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Milovan Rakic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Jones
vs
Rakic

190 cm
25
210 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

189 cm
24
220 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricardo Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Milovan Rakic!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jones gets caught flat footed, as Rakic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rakic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rakic trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rakic sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Jones's guard.

Rakic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jones is looking to control Rakic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jones avoid being mounted?

Rakic is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rakic looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Jones is trying to stand back up but Rakic is controlling him

Rakic wants to work for an arm triangle but Jones is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rakic connects with a nice short shot to Jones's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Jones.

Rakic has gone for a leg lock! Jones slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rakic's guard.
Jones wants to control from the top but Rakic keeps moving.
Jones passes Rakic's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Jones content to control rather than advance.
Jones wants to stand up but Rakic is controlling the position.
Jones wants to control but Rakic is keeping him busy.
Rakic is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to pass the guard but Rakic defending well.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Jones is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rakic is looking to improve his position.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Rakic is defending well.
Rakic is trying to get back to full guard.
Jones tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rakic knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rakic wants to control but Jones is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Jones is thwarting Rakic's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rakic gets full guard.
Jones passes Rakic's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rakic is trying to get back to full guard.
Rakic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Jones sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rakic's guard.

Rakic is defending against the submission attempts here by Jones.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakic is trying to get back to full guard.
Rakic looks gassed!
Jones is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rakic gets full guard.
Rakic is pulling down on Jones's head to control his posture.
Jones passes into half guard.
Rakic is pressing down on Jones's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Jones looking to pass the guard.

Rakic working for submissions but it's allowed Jones to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Milovan Rakic will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jones will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Rakic drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The strikes coming from Rakic are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Jones avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rakic.
Rakic is working Jones over with some ground and pound from side control.
You can see the frustration on Jones's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Rakic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jones, who protects the arm well.
Rakic working away.
Rakic is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Rakic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jones, who protects the arm well.
Jones tries to improve position but can't.

Rakic tries for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Jones pushes Rakic away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rakic gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Rakic goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Jones has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rakic but great work by Jones.
Jones trying to control the position but Rakic is working away.
Jones working the ground and pound from side control.
Rakic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rakic can't do much from the bottom here.
Jones is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Rakic will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Rakic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jones wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Jones working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Jones is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rakic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Jones is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rakic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rakic tries to bench press Jones off him but Jones keeps the position.

Jones looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rakic is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rakic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Jones off and has taken his back!
Jones holding both Rakic 's hands and preventing any damage.

Rakic working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Rakic looking for the choke from the back.
Jones trying to control the position but Rakic manages to sink in the hooks.
Jones tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Rakic goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Jones turns into him and now he's in Rakic's guard.
Jones advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milovan Rakic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Jones's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Jones misses with a takedown attempt - Rakic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A head kick misses from Rakic.
Rakic misses with a body shot
and Jones counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rakic misses with a hook
and Jones counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rakic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jones counters with a nice body shot.
Rakic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jones makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jones comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jones scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rakic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rakic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Jones counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakic takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Jones shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rakic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rakic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Rakic is keeping the position.
Jones passes into half guard.
Jones wants to control but Rakic is keeping him busy.
Rakic makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rakic.
Jones preventing the sweep.
Jones advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakic sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Jones is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rakic tries to roll over but Jones keeps him under control.
Rakic wants to control but Jones is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rakic is staying active underneath Jones, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Jones seems to be looking for submissions.
Jones tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rakic knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jones is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakic is looking for a sweep. Jones is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jones wants to take a breather but Rakic is having none of it.
Jones is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rakic!

Jones is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rakic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Rakic is looking to improve his position but Jones isn't that keen on the idea.
Rakic regains half guard.
Rakic is staying active underneath Jones, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rakic gets full guard.
Rakic controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakic keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Rakic being controlled here, momentarily.
Jones postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rakic wants to sweep here but Jones controlling him for the moment.
Jones controls from within his opponent's guard.

Ricardo Jones has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Rakic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Jones did well to prevent Rakic getting side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rakic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!